Ticket validation apparatus for heat deformable tickets

ABSTRACT

A ticket validation and machine control apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises essentially a ticket acceptor assembly for receiving a heat deformable ticket having a printed circuit on one or more of its surfaces and a logic circuit having a memory capability for activating a machine upon the insertion of a proper ticket in the acceptor assembly. Circuit means are also provided for preventing, in cooperation with the logic circuit, succeeding activations of the machine using the same ticket.

United States Patent [191 Velez et al.

[451 Aug. 26, 1975 TICKET VALIDATION APPARATUS FOR HEAT DEFORMABLE TICKETS lnventors: Fernando I. Velez, San Mateo;

Curtis Allen Ridgeway, San Jose, both of Calif.

Assignee: Fernando I. Velez, San Mateo, Calif.

Filed: I July 13, 1973 Appl. No.: 379,129

[52] US. Cl 194/4 C [51] Int. Cl. G07f 7/02 [58] Field of Search 194/4, 6, 7, 8, 97, 99, 194/100 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,165,187 l/1965 Smith 194/4 B 3,544,769 12/1970 Hedin 194/4 C 3,556,275 1/1971 Rottering.. 194/4 C 3,685,626 8/1972 Cotton 194/4 C Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerThomas E. Kocovsky 57 ABSTRACT A ticket validation and machine control apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises essentially a ticket acceptor assembly for receiving a heat deformable ticket having a printed circuit on one or more of its surfaces and a logic circuit having a memory capability for activating a machine upon the insertion of a proper ticket in the acceptor assembly. Circuit means are also provided for preventing, in cooperation with the logic circuit, succeeding activations of the machine using the same ticket.

9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures V] VI SCRl SCRZ lOOOuf e i RizEfciricDir I l HON" ll II R RESET MACHINE RELAY K3 I LIGHT 6 RECEIVER R12 CONTROL TICKET TEST CIRCUIT RELAY 7 I 1 l 1 z 'SENSING E K2 [RELAY I i J PATENTEB AUEZB L975 FIG.7

FIG.6

FIG. 9

NO CHANGE ROO l.

SO OI.

FIG. l0

'QEFG ooxx X DON'T CARE TICKET VALIDATION APPARATUS FOR HEAT DEFORMABLE TICKETS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to a ticket validation and machine control apparatus, and in particular to an apparatus for preventing false and multiple successive reactivations of a machine using a single ticket.

There is presently available machine control apparatus for activating machines, such as washers and dryers and other equipment having relatively long cycle times, which are responsive to tokens or tickets in lieu of coins.

The tickets typically comprise a heat deformable plastic and are generally fashioned in a particular shape and are provided with a printed circuit on one or more surfaces. Typically, a switch member responds to the shape of the ticket and one or more electrodes within the apparatus respond to the printed circuit. If a proper ticket is inserted in the apparatus, the switch member will be placed in a predetermined position, and the electrodes will complete a circuit through the printed circuit for activating a machine.

In the conventional apparatus, an internal heat lamp will deform the ticket and destroy the printed circuit preventing -re-use of the ticket for restarting the machine. Examples of such apparatus are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,556,275; 3,165,187 and 3,136,402.

When using similar apparatus for controlling machines having relatively short cycle times, it has been found that a machine may turn off with the tip of a ticket deformed to a certain extent moving the switch member but leaving the printed circuit intact. This is found to occur when, due to frequent and multiple uses, the heat lamp remains hot throughout and only partially deforms the ticket before destroying the I printed circuit. Under such circumstances a slight forward movement of the ticket may activate the switch member and, since the printed circuit is still intact, will cause the machine to be reactivated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To prevent such false and multiple starts of a machine with a single ticket, a principal object of the present invention is apparatus which insures that only a single cycle of operation of the machine will be obtained with any single ticket in spite of the fact that a machine may have a short cycle time and the printed circuit on the ticket is left intact.

A principal feature of the invention is circuitry including a logic circuit which is responsive to a switch member in contact with an edge of a-ticket and, in one embodiment, the printed circuit on a surface of the ticket for controlling the activation of the machine.

In one embodiment, the logic circuit is placed in a first one of two available states in response to a predetermined switching sequence of the switch member for energizing a control relay. The control relay provides power through a switch to a ticket sensing circuit which comprisesa plurality of electrodes which contact the printed circuit on the ticket. If a valid ticket is present, a completed circuit will be made through the printed circuit and a sensing relay will be energized. The sensing relay provides power through a switch to activate the machine. A reset relay is energized removing power from the logic circuit setting it to the second one of its two available states.

Power will be provided again to the logic circuit when the machine has completed its cycle of operation. The machine, however, will not be reactivated, nor will the logic circuit be set to its first state until the switching member has repeated the predetermined switching sequence, which can occur only upon the insertion of a new ticket.

In another embodiment, the outputs of the switch member and electrode circuitry serve as inputs to a logic circuit comprising a flip-flop and a number of gates. In this embodiment, the logic circuit is responsive to a predetermined combination of outputs from the switch member and electrode circuitry and does not rely entirely on a predetermined switching sequence of the switch member as in the first embodiment.

If the logic circuit is initially in a first one of its two available states, as occurs upon the insertion of an initial ticket, a machine controlled thereby will be activated when the electorde circuitry completes a circuit through a predetermined printed circuit on the ticket. The machine is activated by virtue of the closing of a relay controlled switch coupled to the logic circuit which energizes a power relay closing a cam operated switch providing power to the machine. At the same time, power is provided to reset relay which resets the logic circuit to the second one of its two available states. The logic circuit will remain in its second state and prevent reactivation of the machine until the circuit completed through the printed circuit on the ticket is interrupted as occurs when the ticket is replaced by another ticket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above described and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a ticket, heat shield, microswitch and heat lamp used in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of used an unused tickets and associated microswitch positions.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a basic SCR holding circuit corresponding to SCRI of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a NOR gate of FIG. 5 and an associated truth table.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a NAND gate of FIG. 5 and an associated truth table.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a decorder logic circuit of FIG. 5 and an associated truth table. 7

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a memory logic circuit of FIG. 5 and an associated truth table.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an open collector gat of FIG. 5 and an associated truth table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring'to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the embodimentsof the present invention described herein utilize .a ticket 1 having predetermined physical characteristics including a card of compressed heat-shrinkable plastic on which is bonded a predetermined pattern 2. A portion of the pattern 2 is electrically conductive and another portion appears the same, but is electrically nonconductive. The similarity in appearance of the two portions serves to camouflage the true electrical characteristics of the card. The same pattern is typically used on both faces of the card and the pattern on one portion of a face is typically the mirror image of the pattern on the other portion of the face such that there is no preferred orientation of a card required when in serting the card in a machine. Each card is further provided with a pair of notches 3 and 4 on each of its longer sides.

Referring to FIG. 3, the ticket 1 is received in a ticket acceptor assembly 5 comprising a switch member 6 and a ticket test assembly 7. In FIG. 3, the switch 6 and assembly 7 are shown in separated portions of the diagram simply for purposes of clarity and illustration. Switch member 6 is typically a two position microswitch having a normal closed N.C. output and a normally open N.C. output and a single pole for making contact therewith. Power from a 110-volt A.C. supply is provided through the microswitch Test assembly 7 comprises in part a plurality of electrodes 8 which complete a circuit through the conductive portions of pattern 2 on the ticket 1 as thereinafter described. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, and in particular to FIG. 1, ticket acceptor assembly 5 also comprises a heat lamp 9 and a heat shield 10 which is disposed between the lamp and the ticket and in which there is provided a slit 11 and a cut-away portion 12. The positions of slit l1 and portion 12 correspond to at least a part of the printed circuit portion and one tip of the card 1.

When the card 1 is inserted in a machine, or more precisely, when the card is inserted in ticket acceptor assembly 5, electrodes 8 come to rest on certain predetermined portions of the printed circuit 2 and the microswitch 6 is activated by the edges of the card. If a correct ticket is inserted, the machine is activated and the heat lamp 9 melts a hole through the center of the card 1 destroying the printed circuit 2 in the vicinity of the slit 11 in the heat shield 10. As the heat from the lamp filament propagates to the ends of the lamp and cutout 12, the tip of the card 1 begins to shrink deforming the card.

In machines having short cycle times permitting high speed multiple uses, such as, for example, fast feeding an office copier, it is found that the machine may turn off and be ready for another cycle of operation before the center of the card 1 is destroyed leaving the printed circuit 2 intact while the tip of the card is shrunk. This is due to the fact that the lamp is heated throughout and does not have time to cool during or between machine cycles. If, under such circumstances, the card 1 is moved forward slightly relative to the microswitch from position F to position E, as shown in FIG. 2, the card will activate the microswitch 6 and if, further, the printed circuit 2 is intact and also is in Contact with the electrodes 8, the machine could be reactivated.

To avoid such false or multiple starts and to determine whether a new ticket has indeed been inserted in ticket acceptor assembly 5, there is further provided as shown in FIG. 3, a logic circuit having a memory capability coupled to microswitch 6.

Referring to FIG. 3, the microswitch 6 having two available states is provided with a first output N.C. and a second output NC. A mechanical linkage 21 between the switch 6 and card 1 serves to switch switch 6 between its two available states in response to an edge card 1 as the card is inserted in ticket acceptor assembly 5.

The logic circuit 20 comprises a power supply 21 having an output 22. Power supply 21 is of conventional design and includes a full-wave diode bridge 23 coupled in parallel with a parallel connected resistor R1 and transistor Q1 and a zener diode D1 and capacitor C1. The output 22 of supply 21 is coupled to a first of three series connected substantially identical logic circuit elements 24, 25 and 26 having a first and a second stable state. The first one 24 of logic circuit elements 24-26 is shown in detail in FIG. 4.

Each of logic circuit elements 24-26 comprises a silicon controlled rectifier SCRl, and SCR2 and SCR3, respectively, having a gate, a cathode and an anode. The anode of SCRl is coupled to the N.C. output of microswitch 6 through a voltage divider comprising in series a diode D2, and three resistors R2, R3 and R6. The cathode of SCRl is also coupled directly to the anode of SCR2 in logic circuit element 25. The gate and cathode of SCR 2 in logic circuit 25 are coupled to the N.C. output of microswitch 6 through a voltage divider comprising in series a diode D2, and three resistors R4, R5 and R7. The cathode of SCR2 is also directly coupled to the anode of SCR3 to logic circuit element 26. The gate and cathode of SCR3 in logic circuit element 26 is coupled to the N.C. output of microswitch 6 through a voltage divider comprising in series a diode D4, resistors R8 and R9 and a control relay Kl.

Control relay K1 controls a single-pole double-throw switch K1A. Switch KlA couples ticket test circuit 7 to the N.C. output of microswitch 6 for providing power from the VAC supply to test circuit 7 when the pole of microswitch 6 is in contact with its N.C. output and relay K1 is energized.

The ticket test circuit 7 comprising the plurality of electrodes 8 is coupled to switch KIA through a diode D5 and a pair of resistors R10 and R11. Two of the electrodes 8 are coupled to ground through resistor R1 1, a capacitor C2, and a resistor R12 and a capacitor C3 respectively. A light emitter LE is coupled in parallel with capacitor C3 and another of electrodes 8 is coupled directly to ground. In parallel with the above circuitry and coupled between switch KlA and ground is a light responsive receiver LR in series with a sensing relay K2 for operating a switch K2A.

Switch K2A is coupled to switch KlA and to a machine to provide power to and activate the machine upon the insertion of a valid ticket. Also coupled to the machine and responsive to an activation of the machine is a circuit including a reset relay K3 for operating a pair of switches K3A and K3B. Switch K3A serves to couple power to heat lamp 9 which is coupled to the NO. output of microswitch 6 by grounding the lamp filament. Power is supplied to supply 21 from a 110 VAC supply through switch K3B. When relay K3 is energized, switch K3B serves to interrupt the power provided supply 21 to reset logic circuit 20, for preventing, in cooperation with the logic circuit, succeeding activations of the machine using the same ticket.

Referring to FIG. 3 and 4, the power supply 21 con verts 110 volts AC. to direct current (DC) and reduces the voltage to a level usable by the SCRs and the relay K1. The resistor R1 provides current to the zener diode D1 which provides a voltage reference for the transistor 01 coupled in parallel with resistor R1. The anode voltage of the transistor O1 is very close to this reference voltage but current is available as needed by the rest of the circuit. Each SCR is made such that no current will flow through it until a pulse is applied to the gate diode D2, D3 or D4 connected between the gates 24, 25 and 26 and microswitch 6 respectively. The trigger for the SCR to conduct comes from the 110 volt A.C. source. The diodes D2, D3 and D4, therefore, rectify the AC. to about 55 volts DC. and each of the voltage dividers provides a voltage less than the gate to cathode maximum e.g., 5 volts. The voltage dividers are made up of resistors of a relay having a resistance R-low and R-High plus R-Hold to rectified A.C. return through the bridge as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. After a pulse from switch 6 has been applied through this network to the gate, current will flow through the anode to the cathode as long as a certain minimum holding current is maintained through the SCR. This minimum current is reached by picking a resistor R-I-Iold of the proper value. Typical values are as follows: Vgmax 5 volts, R-High 100K, R-Low 8K and R-I-Iold 2.2K. However, current greater than the holding current may be drawn through the SCR to give power to attached circuits whether they be other SCRs or relay coils.

Each SCR group is used as a memory so that a certain switching sequence of microswitch 6 must occur before the control relay K1 is energized. Typically, the sequence is initiated with the microswitch in its normally closed (N.C.) position and the machine is off with the reset relay K3 in an unergized state. But, if the machine turns off while the switch 6 is in the N.O. position, none of the SCRs will trigger since SCRI is not yet on. After SCR] triggers, and the old ticket advances with the entrance of a new ticket, successive opening and closing of the microswitch will activate successive SCRs.

In practice there are two basic operating mode possibilitics. In the first mode, the microswitch in in the N.C.

position (position F in FIG. 2) when the machine is off and the tip of an existing ticket is shrunk. With switch 6 in the N.C. position, SCR] is on and SCR3 is pre vented from turning on since SCR 2 is off. As the old ticket is advanced by a new ticket, the microswitch will go to the normally open (N.O.) position (position E in FIG. 2) turning SCR 2 on. When the ticket is advanced still further the microswitch 6 returns to the N.C. position (position D in FIG. 2) turning SCR 3 on. The control relay KI is then activated providing power to the ticket sensing circuit through switch KIA. When the new ticket is inserted all the way in, the tickets circuit pattern 2 activates the sensing circuit energizing the sensing relay circuit K2 for providing power to a machine through switch K2A. Once the machine is turned on, the reset relay K3 responds to the machine power and remains energized until the machine turns off. The energizing of relay k3 resets the control circuit by turning power off to the power supply 21 and hence the SCRs and'relay Kl. When the machine turns off, the reset relay K3 de-energizes, re-applying power to the power supply 21 and the logic circuits 24, 25 and 26.

' The logic circuits are now ready for the next operation.

In the second mode, such as occurs when another 'ticket is inserted after the machine turns off with the tip of the previous ticket not yet shrunk. the microswitch 6 is in its normally open position (N.O.). Under these circumstances the sequence does not start until the microswitch 6 is again in the N.C. position; but this does not occur until position D in FIG. 2. At that point SCRl is turned on. At point C in FIG. 2 SCR2 is turned on. At point B in FIG. 2 SCR3 and relay K1 are both turned on which, in turn, activates the sensing circuit 7. When the new ticket is all the way in, as at point A in FIG. 2, the sensing relay K2 is energized, the machine turns on and the logic control circuits 24, 25 and 26 are reset. When the machine turns off, the logic circuits are ready for the next operation.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is provided a ticket acceptor assembly 15 for receiving a ticket having predetermined physical characteristics. A logic circuit 16 having a memory capability for activating a machine upon the insertion of a ticket having said predetermined physical characteristics in said acceptor assembly coupled to said assembly through a decoder 17. A control circuit 18 and a reset and machine control circuit 19 are coupled to the logic circuit 16 for preventing, in cooperation with the logic circuit, succeeding activation of the machine using the same ticket.

Assembly 15 comprises a twoposition switch member S1 and a plurality of electrodes 8 substantially identical to assembly 5 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Switch S1 has a pole 30 coupled to a regulated fivevolt power supply PS and a pair of output contacts N.C. and N.O. Pole 30 is switched between contacts N.O. and N.C. as a ticket is moved through assembly 15 through each of the positions AF shown in FIG. 2. At positions A, C, E and F (before the tip of a ticket is shrunk) pole 30 is at contact N.O. At positions B, D v

and F (after the tip of a ticket is shrunk) pole 30 is at contact N.C. Contact N.O. is coupled to one of the inputs of a NOR gate IC2b in logic circuit 16 and will thus apply 5 volts to the circuit when pole 30 is at N.O.

The plurality of electrodes 8 in assembly 15 are identified as a common electrode and electrodes A and C. The common electrode is coupled directly to supply P.S. Electrode A is coupled to the base of a transistor Q1 through a resistor R8. Electrode C is coupled to the base of a t ansistor Q2 through a resistor R6. Transistors Q1 and 02 as the input elements in decoder 17. The collectors of transistors Q1 and Q2 are coupled to supply PS through resistors R9 and R7, respectively, and to one of the inputs of a NOR gate IC2a and a NAND gate IC3a, respectively. The output designated 8 of NAND gate IC3a is coupled to the other of the inputs of the NOR gate IC2a which provides the output designated D of the decoder. Output D of the decoder is coupled to the other of the inputs of the NOR gate IC2b in logic circuit 16 and to one of the inputs of a NAND gate IC3b in control circuit 18.

circuit 16 serves as the set" input to a memory comprising a flip-flop IC2c-IC2d. The output of flip-flop IC2c-IC2d designated O is coupled to the other of the inputs of NAND gate IC3b in control circuit 18.

Control circuit 18 comprises a pair of NAND gates, IC3b and IC3c. The outputs designated G and F of IC3b and IC3c respectively, are coupled to one end of a control relay K1 in parallel with a diode D1. The other of relay K1 is coupled to the N.O. contact of switch S1. Control relay K1 is mechanically linked to and controls a switch KIA having a pole 31 and contacts A and B. The pole 31 is coupled to a source of volts A.C.

Contact B is left open and contact A is coupled to reset and machine control circuit 19.

Reset and machine control circuit 19 comprise a machine power relay K2, a reset relay K3, a cam operated switch K2A having a pole 32 and a contact A, and a timer controlled switch S3 having a pole 33 and a contact A.

Reset relay K3 is mechanically linked to and controls a pair of switches K3A and K3B having a pole 35 and 34, respectively, and a pair of contacts A and B.

Pole 34 of switch K3B is coupled to the S-volt supply PS. Contact A of K3B is left open and contact B is coupled to and serves to provide a reset signal R through a resistor R10 for memory flip-flop IC2C-IC2d. Contact B of K3B is also coupled to a NAND gate lC3c in control circuit 18 for holding relay K1 in an energized state so long as the machine is activated. Pole 35 of switch K3A is coupled to contact A of switch KlA for providing 110 VAC to the power. relay K2 and the heater 9.

Power relay K2 is coupled to contact A of switch K3A and to contact A of switch S3. Heater 9 is coupled to contact B of switch K3A. Contact A of cam operated switch K2A is coupled to the 110 VAC supply and its pole 32 is coupled to the pole 33 of S3, to the machine to be powered and to reset relay K3. Means, not shown, within the machine, will activate the timer to close the switch S3 after a predetermined period has. elapsed once the machine is activated.

Typical values for the circuits described are as follows:

Q1, Q2 2N3646 Transistor R5 1.8k ohm resistor A watt R6, R8 k ohm resistor A watt R7, R9 1.8k ohm resistor A watt R10, R12 300 ohm resistor watt R11, R13 510 ohm resistor A watt P.S. voltage regulator uA723CA Signetics lC2 Quad 2 input NOR Gates N74002 Signetics [C3 Quad 2 input open collector NAND Gates N7401 Signetics R5 is a pull up resistor for the open collector gate.

R6 and R8 are current limiters into the base of transistors Q1 and Q2.

R7 and R9 are collector load resistors for transistors Q1 and Q2 respectively. 7

R11 and R13 are used to prevent the gates from turning on due to floating inputs.

R10 and R12 form voltage divider networks with R11 and R13 to turn the respective gate on.

In explaining the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 5, it is initially assumed that a valid ticket is in the ticket acceptor, that the machine has completed a cycle of operation and that the tip and printed circuit on the ticket present in the acceptor assembly has been shrunk and destroyed, respectively, by the heater. These conditions correspond to the microswitch S1 contacting the used ticket at position F of FIG. 2. Under these conditions microswitch S1 is in its normally closed N.C. position (N.O. =0), the output D of the decoder is low (D 0) and the set input S of the memory flip-flop lC2c-IC2d and hence its output Q is high (S=1, Q=1), as illustrated in the truth tables of FIG. 9. Flip-flop lC2c-IC2d will remain set until reset, when the machine is turned on and reset relay K3 energized, by a signal from the 5 volt supply via contact B or reset relay controlled switch K3B. With a high (Q=l) and a low (D=0) input, the output of NAND gate IC3b is high (G=l) is illustrated in the truth table of FIG. 7. Since, under the assumed conditions, the machine is not running and reset relay K3 is not energized, inputs E to NAND gate lC3c also will be low (E=0) and, consequently, its output F will be high (F=l With both G and F high (G=l, F=1), control relay K1 will not energize to switch control relay controlled switch KIA to start the machine.

Upon the insertion of a new ticket into the ticket acceptor, the used ticket will be moved by the new ticket and will be in contact with the microswitch S1 at position E of FIG. 2. By moving the old ticket to position E, microswitch S1 will be switched to its contact N.O. (N.O. =1) which will change the output S of NOR gate IC2b from its initial high to a low (8 0) as seen from the truth table of FIG. 6. While the input D to NAND GATE IC3b is low (D=0), the output Q of flip-flop 1C2- c-IC2d and hence the output G of NAND gate Ic3b as seen in the truth table of FIG. 8 will remain high (Q=l, G=l) since there has been no intervening reset R of memory flip-flop lC2c-IC2d. As the used ticket is moved by the new ticket to contact the microswitch S1 at positions E, D,'C and B as shown in FIG. 2, the inputs D and Q to NAND gate IC3b will remain low and high, respectively (D=0, Q=l). These conditions will prevail despite the repeated switching of microswitch S1 by the ticket and the changing of the set input S of flip-flop IC2c-IC2d between a high (1) and a low (0) until the new ticket is contacted by the microswitch S1 at position A.

A new and valid ticket at position A-will complete a circuit through the tickets printed circuit and the ticket acceptor electrodes, changing the output D of the decoder from a low (D=0) to a high (D=1). With both inputs D and Q of NAND gate lC3b high (D=1, Q=l), its output G is changed froma'high (G=l) to a low (G=0) as seen in the truth tables of FIG. 7. A low (G=0) on the output G of NAND gate lC3b will energize control relay K1 since microswitch S1 is in its N.O. position (N.O.=l).

Control relay K1, when energized, will change switch K1A from contact B to contact A providing power to ,machine power relay k2 via contact A of reset relay controlled switch K3A. Power relay K2, when energized, will step the pulse activated cam controlling switch K2A one-eighth of a turn, closing to R2A contact A. Power is then provided to power the machine and energize reset relay K3 through K2A. When the reset relay K3 is energized, the pole of switch K3A is switched from its contact A to its contact B providing power to the heater and removing it from K2. Simultaneously the pole of switch K38 is switched from its contact A to its contact B for resetting memory flipflop lC2c-lC2d (R=1, 0 0) and for providing high inputs (E=1) to NAND gate IC3c for holding control relay K1 in an energized state as long as the machine is on" and microswitch S1 is in its N.O. position. Once activated, the machine is under the control of the timer for sequencing its operations. When a cycle of operation is completed, the timer will close switch 53 providing power to relay K2 via switch S3. The energization of power relay K2 will step the cam one-eighth turn to open the switch K2A de-energizing reset relay K3 and the heater and return the apparatus of FIG. 6 to its initial condition, N.O.=0, D=(), S=1, and .Q=1.

On occasion, a machine, such as a high-speed copier, having a short cycle time may be operated sufficiently continuously such that the heater is thoroughly heated throughout over several cycles of operation.- Under such circumstances, a tip of a ticket may shrink before its printed circuit is destroyed.

It is apparent from the foregoing that if this occurs microswitch S1 will have switched from its N.O. contact to its N.C. contact and thus de-energized the control relay K1 and the heater which is powered through switch KIA. However, since the printed circuit is not destroyed, the electrodes in the ticket acceptor are still in contact with the tickets printed circuit and the output D of the decoder will remain high (D=1). With the D input to NOR gate lC2b high (D=l) S will be low (S=) as shown in the truth tables of FIG. 6 and will not set memory flip-flop lC2c-IC2d which was reset in the previous machine cycle leaving the Q input to NAND gate lC3b low (Q=0). A high and low input (D=l, Q=0) to NAND gate lC3b will result in ahigh output (G=1) which will not energize control relay Klt Thus, until the output D of. the decoder changes to a low (D=0), memory flip-flop lC2clC2d will not be set and the machine will not be activated. For the output D of the decoder to become a low (M), further movement of the partially destroyed ticket, until the ticket acceptor electrodes are no longer in contact with the printed circuit, is required. This requirement thus effectively prevents recycling of the machine with a single ticket.

It is understood that changes in the described embodiment will occur to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from and are, therefore, considered within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A ticket validation and machine control apparatus comprising:

a logic circuit having a first and a second state;

a means responsive to said ticket for setting said logic circuit to said first state for activating said machinei and a means responsive to said activation of said machine for setting said logic circuit to said second state immediately upon said activation of said machine for preventing reactivation of said machine with said ticket.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said logic circuit comprises:

a first logic circuit element having a first and a second state, including means responsive to said ticket for setting said first logic circuit element to its first state;

a second logic circuit element having a first and a second state coupled to said first logic circuit element including means responsive to said ticket for setting said second logic circuit element to its first state if said first logic circuit element is in its first state; and

a third logic circuit element having a first and a second state coupled to said second logic circuit element including means responsive to said ticket for setting said third logic circuit element to its first state if said first and second logic circuit elements are in their first state for activating said machine.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said logic circuit further comprises a source of power coupled to said first logic circuit element and wherein said second means responsive to said activation of said machine terminates the power to said first logic circuit element for setting saidfirst, said second and said third logic circuit elements to their respective second states for preventing said reactivation of said machine with said ticket.

4. In a ticket validation and machine control apparatus having a plurality of electrodes responsive to a printed circuit on a ticket wherein said printed circuit provides electrical continuity between certain ones of said electrodes for activating a machine, the improvement comprising: a means testing for continuous continuity between said electrodes for preventing a reactivation of said machine with said ticket, said testing means comprising a decoding means having a first and a second state, said decoding means including a means for selectively setting and maintaining said decoding means in its first state so long as said continuity exists between said certain ones of said electrodes and a means for setting and maintaining said decoding means in its second state when said continuity does not exist between said certain ones of said electrodes.

5. In an apparatus according to claim 4 including a switch means having a first and a second state responsive to the presence and absence of an edge of said ticket wherein said switch means is set to its first state when said edge is present and to its second state when said edge is absent, wherein said testing means further comprises:

a memory means having a first and a second state coupled to said decoding means and said switch means;

a means responsive to said switch means and said decoding means for setting said memory means to its first state when said switch means and said decoding means are in their second state; and

a means responsive to said switch means, said decoding means and an activation of said machine for resetting said memory means to its second state when at least one of said decoding means is set to its first state.

6. In an apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said testing means further comprises:

a controlling means having a first and a second state coupled to said memory means and said decoding means;

a means for setting said controlling means to its first state when said decoding means is in its first state and said memory means is set to its first state; and

a means for setting said controlling means to its second state when at least one of said decoding means is in its second set and said memory means is reset to its second state.

7. In an apparatus according to claim 6 the improvement further comprising: a means responsive to said controlling means for providing said activation of said machine when said controlling means is in its first state.

8. A ticket validation and machine control apparatus comprising:

a first means responsive to a ticket for activating a machine; and

a second means responsive to said activation of said machine for preventing a reactivation of said machine with said ticket wherein said first means comprises:

a first circuit means having a first and a second output responsive to a ticket for providing a first and a second output signal;

second circuit means having a logic circuit and a third output, coupled to said first and said second outputs, responsive to said first and said second output signals for setting said logic circuit in a first predetermined state for providing a third output signal,

a third circuit means having a fourth output, coupled to said third output, responsive to said third output signal for providing a fourth signal for said activation of said machine; and

fourth circuit means responsive to said second means for resetting said logic circuit to a second predetermined state and terminating said third output signal, said resetting of said logic circuit and said termination of said third output signal serving to prevent restarting of said machine with said ticket, and further wherein said first circuit means includes a switching means having a first and a second state and said logic circuit means includes: first logic circuit element coupled to said first output and responsive to said switching means for providing a first logic circuit element output signal when said switching means is in said first state;

a second logic circuit element coupled to said second output and said first logic circuit element and responsive to said first logic circuit element output signal for providing a second logic circuit element output signal when said switching means is in said second state; and

a third logic circuit element coupled to said first output and said second logic circuit element and responsive to said second logic circuit element output signal for providing said third output signal when said switching means is in said first state.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first, and second and said third logic circuit elements in said second circuit means are gate controlled rectifiers and further including a source of power having a power output coupled to said first logic circuit element for providing power to said first logic circuit element and, further, wherein said fourth circuit means includes means coupled to said source of power for terminating said power to said first logic circuit element for providing said resetting of said logic circuit, 

1. A ticket validation and machine control apparatus comprising: a logic circuit having a first and a second state; a means responsive to said ticket for setting said logic ciRcuit to said first state for activating said machine; and a means responsive to said activation of said machine for setting said logic circuit to said second state immediately upon said activation of said machine for preventing reactivation of said machine with said ticket.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said logic circuit comprises: a first logic circuit element having a first and a second state, including means responsive to said ticket for setting said first logic circuit element to its first state; a second logic circuit element having a first and a second state coupled to said first logic circuit element including means responsive to said ticket for setting said second logic circuit element to its first state if said first logic circuit element is in its first state; and a third logic circuit element having a first and a second state coupled to said second logic circuit element including means responsive to said ticket for setting said third logic circuit element to its first state if said first and second logic circuit elements are in their first state for activating said machine.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said logic circuit further comprises a source of power coupled to said first logic circuit element and wherein said second means responsive to said activation of said machine terminates the power to said first logic circuit element for setting said first, said second and said third logic circuit elements to their respective second states for preventing said reactivation of said machine with said ticket.
 4. In a ticket validation and machine control apparatus having a plurality of electrodes responsive to a printed circuit on a ticket wherein said printed circuit provides electrical continuity between certain ones of said electrodes for activating a machine, the improvement comprising: a means testing for continuous continuity between said electrodes for preventing a reactivation of said machine with said ticket, said testing means comprising a decoding means having a first and a second state, said decoding means including a means for selectively setting and maintaining said decoding means in its first state so long as said continuity exists between said certain ones of said electrodes and a means for setting and maintaining said decoding means in its second state when said continuity does not exist between said certain ones of said electrodes.
 5. In an apparatus according to claim 4 including a switch means having a first and a second state responsive to the presence and absence of an edge of said ticket wherein said switch means is set to its first state when said edge is present and to its second state when said edge is absent, wherein said testing means further comprises: a memory means having a first and a second state coupled to said decoding means and said switch means; a means responsive to said switch means and said decoding means for setting said memory means to its first state when said switch means and said decoding means are in their second state; and a means responsive to said switch means, said decoding means and an activation of said machine for resetting said memory means to its second state when at least one of said decoding means is set to its first state.
 6. In an apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said testing means further comprises: a controlling means having a first and a second state coupled to said memory means and said decoding means; a means for setting said controlling means to its first state when said decoding means is in its first state and said memory means is set to its first state; and a means for setting said controlling means to its second state when at least one of said decoding means is in its second set and said memory means is reset to its second state.
 7. In an apparatus according to claim 6 the improvement further comprising: a means responsive to said controlling means for providing said activation oF said machine when said controlling means is in its first state.
 8. A ticket validation and machine control apparatus comprising: a first means responsive to a ticket for activating a machine; and a second means responsive to said activation of said machine for preventing a reactivation of said machine with said ticket wherein said first means comprises: a first circuit means having a first and a second output responsive to a ticket for providing a first and a second output signal; a second circuit means having a logic circuit and a third output, coupled to said first and said second outputs, responsive to said first and said second output signals for setting said logic circuit in a first predetermined state for providing a third output signal, a third circuit means having a fourth output, coupled to said third output, responsive to said third output signal for providing a fourth signal for said activation of said machine; and a fourth circuit means responsive to said second means for resetting said logic circuit to a second predetermined state and terminating said third output signal, said resetting of said logic circuit and said termination of said third output signal serving to prevent restarting of said machine with said ticket, and further wherein said first circuit means includes a switching means having a first and a second state and said logic circuit means includes: a first logic circuit element coupled to said first output and responsive to said switching means for providing a first logic circuit element output signal when said switching means is in said first state; a second logic circuit element coupled to said second output and said first logic circuit element and responsive to said first logic circuit element output signal for providing a second logic circuit element output signal when said switching means is in said second state; and a third logic circuit element coupled to said first output and said second logic circuit element and responsive to said second logic circuit element output signal for providing said third output signal when said switching means is in said first state.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first, and second and said third logic circuit elements in said second circuit means are gate controlled rectifiers and further including a source of power having a power output coupled to said first logic circuit element for providing power to said first logic circuit element and, further, wherein said fourth circuit means includes means coupled to said source of power for terminating said power to said first logic circuit element for providing said resetting of said logic circuit. 